Judge Benjamin Jones ruled that the state couldn't become a party to the lawsuit filed against Monroe City Schools.

In August, Jones declared as unconstitutional part of the 2012 law that made it tougher for a teacher to job protection status called tenure and changed teacher dismissal procedures.

After his ruling, the state sought to intervene in the lawsuit, filed by DeAnne Williams, a Monroe teacher facing possible dismissal who is represented by the lawyer for the Louisiana Association of Educators.

The News-Star reports that Jones said there was no legal basis for him to let the state become a party to the case after his ruling.

"I have not seen in code where intervention has been allowed after decision in trial," Jones said. "Plowing new ground is not something I am comfortable to do."

Lawyer Jimmy Faircloth, representing the state, said the attorney general's office was not notified about the case in enough time to prepare before the Aug. 5 hearing. He said the state will seek to intervene during the appeal.

Monroe City School Board attorney Doug Lawrence argued in favor of state's intervention, saying he wanted the state to become a party to the case now to prevent the case from being sent back to the court on appeal for lack of proper procedure.

LAE President Debbie Meaux praised the judge's ruling, saying it paves the way for an appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court to decide the matter.

"We have waited long enough to confirm what teacher due process rights really are," Meaux said in a statement. "We are ready to bring the case to the Louisiana Supreme Court so we can finally gain some clarity."